Greenwood College School Explained

Greenwood College School
Postcode:M4S 2L8
Country:Canada
Coordinates:43.7002°N -79.3864°W
Fundingtype:Independent
Founders:Rich Wernham
Julia West
John Latimer
David Latimer
Principal:Heather Thomas
Grades:7–12
Colours:Green
Mascot:Greenwood Grizzly
Campus Type:Urban
Enrollment:498
Free Label:Public transit access
Free Text:Subway: Davisville
Buses: Route 28, 11
Free Label1:Affiliations
Free Text1:Canadian Accredited Independent Schools, Conference of Independent Schools of Ontario

Greenwood College School is an independent co-educational middle school and high school located on the south-east corner of Mount Pleasant Road and Davisville Avenue in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

History

Established in 2002[1] by Richard Wernham, Julia West, David J. Latimer and John R. Latimer,[2] the school provides an experiential education to over 500 students in Grades 7 through 12. The school is housed in a facility built in 2002 which was expanded and renovated in 2016. In addition to its urban campus, Greenwood also uses several outdoor facilities.

Beginnings and growth

In the early 2000s, couple Richard Wernham and Julia West, along with father-son duo John R. Latimer and David "Lub" Latimer, imagined of a co-educational school in Toronto that would be an alternative to the foremost independent schools in Toronto, which were mostly single sex and offered the International Baccalaureate.

Founding principal David Thompson left Greenwood in June 2008 become the Headmaster at Lakefield College School. The former Vice-Principal, Allan Hardy, was appointed his successor.

Greenwood completed a renovation and expansion of its main facility in 2016. The expansion increased the school's square footage by 120% and added several new facilities, including a second gym, a performance theatre, new science labs, large Learning Community classrooms and a rooftop terrace outdoor classroom. Greenwood's sports teams use nearby facilities including Leaside Arena, the University of Toronto Athletic Centre, Deer Park Pool and Sunnybrook Park.

Post expansion

After completing the renovation and expansion, Greenwood's student body grew to 500.[3] Founding principal David Thompson left Greenwood in June 2008 to become the Headmaster at Lakefield College School. The former Vice-Principal, Allan Hardy, was appointed his successor. Upon Allan's retirement in 2018, Sarah Bruce became the Principal. In 2024, former Deputy Head of School, Heather Thomas, was appointed as her successor.

Notable alumni

Emma Kim - Senior Synchronized Skating World Medalist and Hall of Fame Inductee

Tom Wilson (ice hockey) - Forward for the Washington Capitals

Tom Ramshaw - Olympic Sailor

Fees

The tuition fee for the 204-2025 academic year were $44,920.[4] For new students there is a one-time registration fee of $9,000. Tuition covers student participation in all school programs, including the Outdoor Leadership Program for grades 7 to 11, which includes trips to locations across Canada.[5] Like many independent schools with a Bring Your Own Device program, students are required to purchase a laptop with the required programs installed.

Outdoor education

With academics, Greenwood College School's students are immersed in the school's Outdoor Education Program. The founders intended to create a school with strong academics, as well as a learning environment where children are given the opportunity to learn outdoors and leadership and teamwork are essential.[6]

Greenwood's outdoor education program includes trips in the fall and winter, considered to be essential character-building experiences that encourage the development of perseverance and leadership.[7] The fall program begins a few days into the school year.

Service learning

Greenwood's Service Learning program gives students the opportunity to participate in a variety of initiatives.[8] On Wednesdays, classes start late to give staff the opportunity to participate in professional development sessions as students take part in community service.[9]

Greenwood is the only school in Ontario involved in the Hockey H.E.R.O.S. program, where students act as hockey instructors for children aged 8 to 12 years from Toronto's inner city communities.[10]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Our Story . Greenwood College School. 2021-08-11.
  2. Web site: Greenwood - Our Story .
  3. Web site: Greenwood College School . Our Kids . 8 July 2020 . Enrollment.
  4. Web site: Financial Information . Aug 1, 2024 . Greenwood College School . Tuition.
  5. Web site: From Camp to School And Back Again: The story of Greenwood College . David Thompson . 2009-12-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110814143103/http://dialogueonline.ca/from-camp-school-back-again/1267/ . 2011-08-14 . dead .
  6. Web site: Helping out: Family eases transition to new school, While they may not always get along at home, having a big brother . Joshua Freeman . 2010-01-14 . 2011-04-29.
  7. Web site: Schools and the Environment . OurKids.net . 2011-10-14 . 2011-04-29.
  8. Web site: Welcome to Reels to Relax: Entertaining Sick Kids One Film at a Time . Simone Roth . 2011-05-09 . 2011-05-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110202144432/http://reels-to-relax.com/ . 2011-02-02 . dead .
  9. Web site: Why boys need extracurricular activities . John Lorinc. 2010-10-21 . 2011-05-09.
  10. Web site: 2011-05-05 . Mission Statement . 2011-05-09 . Ignition Media.